Silkies have distinctive physical characteristics such as black skin and bones, blue earlobes, and five toes on each foot. They are well known for their calm, friendly temperament which makes them considered as ideal pets. This breed is so named for its extraordinary fluffy plumage, which is said to feel like silk. In spite of being layers of a modest number of eggs, they are commonly utilized to hatch eggs from other breeds and bird species.

It is considered that silkies came to the West via the Silk Route and maritime trade. Because of its size, this chicken is considered a bantam in some countries. The two distinct varieties of Silkies are Bearded and Non-bearded Silkies. An extra muff of feathers under the beak area that covers the earlobes differentiate the bearded silkies from the non-bearded ones. All Silkies have black skin, bones and grayish-black meat.

The PECk-O-MATIC Automatic Chicken Feeder is weather resistant, shielded from the weather and very efficient for keeping your chickens feed with little waste and even less attention. If feeding pellets, cracked corn or wheat the 5/8-inch regulator disc can be used. When feeding cracked corn or peas, it is recommended to use PECk-O-MATIC Automatic Chicken Feeder's ½-inch regulator disc to feed these chickens. The opening ensures the easy flow of feed. It is wide enough to regulate the flow and it does not clog up the feed.

The earliest surviving written account of Silkies comes from Marco Polo, who wrote of a furry chicken in the 13th century, during his travels in Asia. Ulisse Aldrovandi has mentioned about silkies "wool-bearing chickens" and ones "clothed with hair like that of a black cat”. The breed was recognized officially in North America with acceptance into the Standard of Perfection in 1874. Black, Blue, Buff, Grey, Partridge, and White are the colors recognized for competitive shows.